Chapter 2 Decisions.

"The offer was still on the table, ten thousand dollars and a job. All I had to do was make Sinclair Montclair fall in love with me.

I said no.

Now my sister is dying.

And I think I'm about to say yes."

Sitting in my little corner of the office, where I worked as a data entry clerk with the lowest pay in a small town in NYC, I couldn't stop thinking of how stupid I must have been to refuse such an offer.

I peek from my screen and see Mike approaching, the only person I always look forward to seeing every day.

Ben was in love with me and I knew it, he had told me several times, he had done so many things for me that would have made any normal girl fall right into his arms, but he lacked the excitement I needed.

He was comfortable in his little office with little pay, he never talked about dreams and I guess he just wasn't my type, but of course I was going to enjoy whatever attention I was getting.

"Heyyy cammyyy" cammy, that's what he calls me. "You look stunning, feeling any better?"

"Yes yes I am, thank you"

"I got you something," he said bringing out a small case from his bag.

"Oh, Mike, you are so sweet"

"It's for tonight"

"Tonight?, I thought-" just then my phone rings.

Camil, it's your sister. She's relapsed. She's in the hospital." I get up my chest heaving. A knot in my throat.

"Camil, is everything okay??"

I swoop up everything I can from my desk into my bag with trembling hands.

"Camil, what's wrong"

"My sister" is all I could mutter as I dashed out of the office.

God please, are the only words that come to mind as I stand by the curb, trying to hail a cab.

Not again.

----------------------

I dash through the hospital doors, "Where is she?" I ask the uncanny nurse.

"She's in the ICU" a look of worry plastered on her face.

I don't need anyone to show me the way, I have been there more times than I can remember. Pushing past doctors, nurses, and patients, the smell from the hospital feels intoxicating, bringing back terrible memories. I didn't think I would be doing this again. Feels like deja vu.

There she is. "Rose!!!"

I surge forward, but a nurse steps in front of me. "She needs to rest. She just had a relapse and will need to start chemotherapy immediately.

Deposits will have to be made."

"Yes yes, anything. I just want her to be fine" tears welling in my eyes.

"She looks so frail, so pale"

She was in her freshman year of college when she was first diagnosed with leukemia, it was like a blow to our chest, my mom having to work single-handedly to raise us was livid. The bills kept pulling up, chemo was so expensive. I had to juggle school and two jobs, and we had to be there for Rose emotionally as well. It was a terrible sight. We scaled through.

No one was happier than my mother when she finally rang the bell as a cancer survivor, we had been told there was a possibility of a relapse but not so soon.

I will eventually have to inform mom, she is all the way in Texas, and she would be worried sick.

I rush to make a first deposit for treatment,

Staring at the debt I know I can't keep up.

Just as I am trying to figure out the next move, a pop-up notification appears.

Mike: Is there any way I can help?

I ignore it. My pride flares...stupid, unnecessary pride. But I can't take money from someone who wants more than I'm willing to give."

I call mom instead. At the first ring, she answers.

Mom."

Silence. Then a shaky inhale, as if she had been expecting this call.

"I will be there by tomorrow"

My hands shake as I constantly refresh my bank app, praying the numbers will somehow change. They don't.

I look up and there is the nurse, walking towards me. "Ma'am, we need the full deposit before we can proceed."

I swallow hard. "How long do I have?"

She hesitates. "Hours."

My phone vibrates.

Mike: Camil, let me help.

I stare at the message, my pride would never allow me to accept help from Ben.

Then I hear it.

Beeping sounds.

A nurse's sharp voice cuts through the room. "She's crashing!"

I turn just in time to see doctors rushing toward Rose's bed.

I run toward her, but hands catch me.

"Stay back, please! We have everything under control!" A young doctor, covered from head to toe in scrubs, blocks my path.

Everything under control? Then why does it sound like she is dying?

I stand outside the ICU, heart pounding, body shaking, and I am literally struggling to breathe. My chest feels congested. I feel helpless.

I fumble for my phone, my hands trying to steady my phone as I hover over Ben's name. I need someone.

Then I remember the card.

I gulp, my fingers curling around it. Isabella Montclair.

I inhale and I make the call.

Madame~

The call had come as a surprise. She had sounded desperate, worried even. I wouldn't bother about that.

Sinclair would be furious if he found out what I am about to do. But who would tell him?

I am running out of time. I need to stay alive long enough to see someone take over his lineage. I have never been in support of the reckless life he lives. I needed him to settle down.

Why did I choose her? I don't know.

But when I saw her that day across the hall, soft curves, accentuated hips, a woman in every sense of the word, I knew. She had to be the one.

"We're here, ma'am," my driver announces, pulling me from my thoughts.

We had agreed to meet at a small coffee shop. I wanted it tomorrow, but she was in a hurry. Who wouldn't be, for an offer like this?

I step out of the car and spot her immediately. Seated, tense, waiting.

She made to stand, but I raised a hand. Stay seated.

I lower myself into the chair across from her and say nothing. I wait.

Her lips part, voice steady but urgent.

"Mrs. Montclair, I'm sorry for how sudden this is, I've considered your offer, and I accept it..."

Her gaze constantly moves to her phone on the table and back. "But only on one condition," she says.

A condition? Interesting. I am not one to receive conditions. I am always the one who sets them.

I fold my hands in my lap, tilting my head. "Which is?"

She holds my gaze. Not moved.

"I want my first deposit. Right now."

"Fine. That's not a problem." I lean back slightly, studying her. "But how do I know you won't take the money and disappear?"

She doesn't hesitate. "Ma'am, you and I both know I have nowhere to run. I just....need a little for something urgent. I'll start as soon as you need me to."

She's telling the truth, I can see it in her posture, the slight tension in her hands as she drums them against the table.

But there's something else. I can't quite place it.

"You start tomorrow."

A flinch. Barely noticeable, but I catch it.

"Is that a problem?"

She exhales, choosing her words. "I just need a little more time to take care of things at my current job."

"How long?"

"Five days." She bites her lower lip.

I nod. "Five days, then."

I gesture at Olaf, my bodyguard and companion.

The transfer is done before she can second-guess her decision.

As I stand to leave, I do something unexpected.

I place my hand over hers. Just for a moment.

"Thank you," I say

-----------------------

Seated in my personal library, sifting through books, I replay today's events. It all happened so fast, it almost felt like a dream.

I rise from my chair and walk over the balcony. The cool evening air wraps around me as I lean against the railing.

I should feel fulfilled.

What didn't we have? A private jet, a luxury suite, a world without limits. Chefs, chauffeurs, anything at our beck and call. And yet, I feel alone.

After twenty-five years of marriage, I walked away. I could never conceive again after Sinclair. I was termed what you would call barren. Who would want a woman like me?

Sinclair is nearly thirty-five now. Hardened by life far too early. My son, the only piece of me that remained. I am proud of him, his first house, his first car, then I stopped counting.

I hope I made the right choice.

"Mum, how are you?"

I turn, finding Sinclair in the doorway. Broad-shouldered and strong, he has had his fair share of the gym, always composed. My safe space.

"I am fine. Just thinking."

"About?" He smirks. "You are always thinking, though."

I give a slow smile then I blurt out "When are you getting married?"

"Ugh Mum, " he says, his shoulders dropping "I've told you to stop bringing this up. One of these days, I swear, I'll start avoiding you whenever I see you." He says running a hand through his silky hair.

I ignore his protest. "I hired a new personal secretary for you," I say quickly.

His brows draw together. A brief wave of anger flashes across his face.

"And why would you do that?" His voice is sharp now.

"Well...."

"I have told you to stay out of my affairs. I am not a child anymore."

I am looking directly at him, his gaze fixed on mine "You'll like this one, I promise."

His jaw tenses up. "Mum, what are you up to?"

I step closer, adjusting his collar

"Nothing, my son." I smile "You should know by now that everything I do is always in your best interest."

"mu...."

"I'm a bit hungry. We should eat out tonight." I say trying to change the subject.

He studies me for a moment with narrowed eyes.

"Sure," he says, not quite convinced.